Palmer’s Pond State Forest, located in the towns of Ward and Almond in Allegany County, NY, totals 3,645-acres and offers opportunities for a variety of outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, bird-watching, nature photography, and more.
This State Forest includes 12 miles of marked trails comprised of wide dirt and grass paths through wooded areas, and dirt and gravel forest access roads. The East Loop and the West Loop trails are each about five miles long and are considered moderately challenging. They begin in the Miller Road parking area and have elevation gains ranging from 541 to 1,092 feet.
The forested terrain is a mix of trees and open spaces that provide various habitats for wildlife species such as deer, rabbits, grouse, and turkeys. Hunting and fishing are allowed on the property, and camp sites are available on a first-come-first-served basis. A camping permit is required for stays longer than three nights or for groups of 10 or more people.
Palmer’s Pond State Forest is located adjacent to the Philips Creek (2,709 acres) and Turnpike State Forests (4,744 acres). In the 1930s, all three of these State Forests were the site of work projects carried out by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
The CCC, established by the administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, provided employment opportunities for young men during the Great Depression.
CCC projects included the construction of roads and the planting of thousands of pine and spruce trees in the open areas on the property.
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